EP2382034A1 - Process and apparatus for the homogenization of feed stock - Google Patents

Process and apparatus for the homogenization of feed stock

Info

Publication number
EP2382034A1
EP2382034A1 EP09807670A EP09807670A EP2382034A1 EP 2382034 A1 EP2382034 A1 EP 2382034A1 EP 09807670 A EP09807670 A EP 09807670A EP 09807670 A EP09807670 A EP 09807670A EP 2382034 A1 EP2382034 A1 EP 2382034A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
stock
homogenization
tank
homogenization step
conducted
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP09807670A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Liisa Lehtinen
Risto Laaksonen
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
UPM Kymmene Oy
Original Assignee
UPM Kymmene Oy
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by UPM Kymmene Oy filed Critical UPM Kymmene Oy
Publication of EP2382034A1 publication Critical patent/EP2382034A1/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
    • B01F33/00—Other mixers; Mixing plants; Combinations of mixers
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
    • B01F23/00—Mixing according to the phases to be mixed, e.g. dispersing or emulsifying
    • B01F23/60—Mixing solids with solids
    • B01F23/69—Mixing systems, i.e. flow charts or diagrams; Arrangements, e.g. comprising controlling means
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
    • B01F25/00—Flow mixers; Mixers for falling materials, e.g. solid particles
    • B01F25/40—Static mixers
    • B01F25/42—Static mixers in which the mixing is affected by moving the components jointly in changing directions, e.g. in tubes provided with baffles or obstructions
    • B01F25/43—Mixing tubes, e.g. wherein the material is moved in a radial or partly reversed direction
    • B01F25/432—Mixing tubes, e.g. wherein the material is moved in a radial or partly reversed direction with means for dividing the material flow into separate sub-flows and for repositioning and recombining these sub-flows; Cross-mixing, e.g. conducting the outer layer of the material nearer to the axis of the tube or vice-versa
    • B01F25/4323—Mixing tubes, e.g. wherein the material is moved in a radial or partly reversed direction with means for dividing the material flow into separate sub-flows and for repositioning and recombining these sub-flows; Cross-mixing, e.g. conducting the outer layer of the material nearer to the axis of the tube or vice-versa using elements provided with a plurality of channels or using a plurality of tubes which can either be placed between common spaces or collectors
    • B01F25/43231—Mixing tubes, e.g. wherein the material is moved in a radial or partly reversed direction with means for dividing the material flow into separate sub-flows and for repositioning and recombining these sub-flows; Cross-mixing, e.g. conducting the outer layer of the material nearer to the axis of the tube or vice-versa using elements provided with a plurality of channels or using a plurality of tubes which can either be placed between common spaces or collectors the channels or tubes crossing each other several times
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
    • B01F25/00—Flow mixers; Mixers for falling materials, e.g. solid particles
    • B01F25/50—Circulation mixers, e.g. wherein at least part of the mixture is discharged from and reintroduced into a receptacle

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a process as defined in the preamble of claim 1 and to an apparatus as defined in the preamble of claim 15 for the homogeniza- tion of feed stock, preferably for the manufacture of a composite material.
  • the solid stock material is conducted into tanks, e.g. storage ⁇ tanks, wherefrom the stock is fed to the manufacturing process e.g. after mixing carried out in the tanks .
  • the objective of the invention is to disclose a new type of a process and an apparatus for the ho- mogenization of feed stock before the actual manufac- turing process, e.g. manufacture of a composite material .
  • the invention is based on a process for the homogenization of feed stock.
  • solid stock material is mixed in at least two successive homogenization steps, wherein each homogenization step comprises at least two adjacent tanks, in which process the stock material is fed into adjacent tanks of the first homogenization step, at least two stock flows are conducted out form each tank of each homogenization step, and at least one stock flow is conducted from each homogenization step into at least one tank on the following homogenization step.
  • the invention is specifically based on a process where stock feed is homogenized as well as possible to pretreat the stock material or materials and/or to manufacture a product such as a composite material.
  • Homogenization means in this connection mixing of the stock, i.e. stock material, so as to have a stock feed which is substantially of as uniform a quality as possible in the entire volume thereof.
  • the tank means in this connection any tank, silo, reactor or the like.
  • the tank is a silo or a tank resembling a silo, in which case the stock material and the " different-sized particles therein deposit in the tank and flow out of the tank evenly.
  • the tank may be provided with scrapers or the like, e.g. to prevent arching of the material, and/or conveyor means, e.g. conveying screws, on the bottom of the tank.
  • the stock material is fed into adjacent tanks of the first homogenization step, at least two stock flows are con- ducted out from each tank of each homogenization step, and the stock flows of each tank are conducted into adjacent tanks of the following homogenization step, in a preferred embodiment each stock flow into different adjacent tanks.
  • the stock flows of each tank are conducted into adjacent tanks of the following homogenization step so that at least one flow form each tank of the previous homogenization step is conducted into each tank of the following homogenization step.
  • there are at least four successive steps In one embodiment, there are 2 to 5 successive steps. Alternatively, there may be more of the successive steps.
  • each step comprises at least three adjacent tanks. In one pre- ferred embodiment, there are two adjacent tanks. In one embodiment, there are 2 to 4 adjacent tanks. Alternatively, there may be more of the adjacent tanks.
  • the stock material is divided in each tank, by a method suitable for the purpose, into at least two flows in a desired ratio which may be a predetermined or a randomly determined ratio.
  • the stock material is divided into as many stock flows as there are adjacent tanks in the following step.
  • the stock material is divided into two flows so that the proportion of the first flow is between 20 and 80 vol-%, in one embodiment between 40 and 60 vol-%, and the proportion of the second flow is between 20 and 80 vol-%, in one embodiment 40 and 60 vol-%.
  • the stock material is divided into two flows so that the proportion of each flow is about 50 vol-%.
  • the stock material is divided into three flows so that the pro- portion of each flow is between 30 and 36 vol-%.
  • the process according to the invention may be used to homogenize any substantially solid material, e.g. natural materials such as wood and plant fibers, grains, animal feeds, putty materials, mortars, materi- als of the concrete industry, various fillers and other bulk materials in which the stock components and/or densities of the materials vary, and to homogenize easily disintegrating solid materials.
  • substantially solid material e.g. natural materials such as wood and plant fibers, grains, animal feeds, putty materials, mortars, materi- als of the concrete industry, various fillers and other bulk materials in which the stock components and/or densities of the materials vary, and to homogenize easily disintegrating solid materials.
  • recycling material is used as the stock material.
  • the stock material contains adhesive laminate waste.
  • the stock material consists mainly of adhesive laminate waste.
  • the ad- hesive laminate waste is formed of adhesive material onto which a layer of glue has been provided, and fit- ted onto the layer of glue as a protective sheet is release material that can be easily released at the application site.
  • the adhesive material and/or release material comprises a wood fiber based component and/or a plastic or a polymer based or other organic component. Also, the use of various inorganic materials is possible.
  • the adhesive and/or release material is a wood fiber based paper, paperboard or the like.
  • the wood fiber based paper, paperboard or the like comprises or is treated with plastic or polymer based material.
  • the adhesive and/or release material may be formed of substantially plastic or polymer based material.
  • the re- lease material comprises a silicone based component.
  • the release material is preferably siliconized.
  • the stock material is crushed before the first step of the homogenization according to the invention. Crushing may be performed in one or 2 to 4 adjacent crushers, so that flows are conducted from each crusher to adjacent tanks of the first step of homogenization.
  • the stock material is provided in a predetermined particle size. In one embodiment, the stock material is pro- vided in chops. In one embodiment, the mean size of the stock material chops is 1 to 10 mm, in one embodiment 2 to 5 mm and in one embodiment about 3 to 4 mm.
  • the stock material may be chopped to different particle sizes. In different ad- jacent crushers, it is possible to crush different starting materials which are mixed in homogenization.
  • at least one crusher is arranged to crush adhesive laminate waste.
  • homoge- nized stock flows are conducted after the last step to the manufacturing process of a composite material, e.g. manufacturing process of a wood-plastic composite material.
  • a composite material e.g. manufacturing process of a wood-plastic composite material.
  • finished adhesive laminate products, waste material produced by them and/or in their manufacture may be used in the manufacture of the wood-plastic composite.
  • waste material from production as well as recycling material from the upgrading step or end use applications may be used.
  • the adhesive laminate waste comes from adhesive laminate production which produces mainly pro- duction reject waste, edge trimming waste cut off from rolls and roll ends, from the adhesive laminate printing plant which produces mainly roll ends and adhesive material left over from die-cutting of stickers and labels as well as reject waste, and/or from the adhesive laminate end user customer who pastes the printed stickers and labels or the like on products.
  • the waste obtained from the end user comprises mainly release material, reel ends and waste from the finished product.
  • the ho- mogenized stock flows are conducted after the last ho- mogenization step to a pretreatment process of the stock for the manufacture of the composite material. In one embodiment, after the last homogenization step, all stock flows of adjacent tanks are conducted to the same pretreatment process. In one embodiment, a stock flow is conducted from each tank of the last step of homogenization to each concurrent pretreatment process.
  • the homogenized stock flows are conducted after the last homogenization step to the actual manufacturing process of the composite material.
  • additional material, additional plastic and/or additives are fed to the manufacturing process of the composite material and/or to the pretreatment process in addition to the homogenized stock material.
  • the additives are fed directly to the actual manufacturing process of the com- posite material.
  • at least part of the additional material, additional plastic and/or additives to be used is fed to the pretreatment process.
  • at least part of the additional ma- terial, additional plastic and/or additives to be used is fed to the actual manufacturing process of the composite material.
  • the additives e.g.
  • the coloring agent, anti-mold agent and uv-stabilizer are added mainly at the actual manufacturing process of the com- posite material, and e.g. the anti-slip agent, fire re- tardant and adhesion promoter may be added either at the actual manufacturing of the composite material or at the pretreatment.
  • additional material fibrous material, talc or the like may be fed to the stock ma- terial.
  • additional plastic which may be virgin or recycled plastic, is added to the stock material in the manufacture of the composite material and/or at the pretreatment.
  • the composite mate- rial according to the invention may be manufactured with or without additional plastic.
  • e.g. polyolefin, polypropene, polyethene (HDPE, LDPE) or other suitable plastic or a mixture thereof is added to the adhesive laminate waste material as additional plastic to manufacture the wood composite material.
  • the pretreatment process is selected from the group of a mixing process, a pellet- izing process, a granulation process, an agglomerizing process and combinations thereof or any pretreatment process known per se.
  • pneumatic conveyance i.e. a pneumatic conveyor system
  • pneumatic conveyance is used to transfer the stock material e.g. from storage or from the crusher to the first step of homogenization, from one step of homogenization to another and/or from the last step of homogenization to upgrading such as to the pretreatment process of the stock or to the manufacturing process.
  • the manufacturing process may be for example a manufacturing process of composite material.
  • Pneumatic conveyance is a gentle method to transfer material and a relatively energy-efficient process. If agglomeration of the stock particles occurs due to moisture in one of the tanks, the agglomerates can be made to disintegrate preferably by the effect of the compressed air in pneumatic conveyance.
  • the stock material may be conducted out from any step of homogenization and returned to earlier steps, conducted to a storage tank or conducted to upgrading such as to a pretreatment or manufacturing process.
  • the stock material may be conducted from any tank to the storage tank or returned to any step preceding the tank in question, e.g. to the first step of homogenization.
  • the stock material may be returned after the last step of homogenization back to be homoge- nized once again, if the stock material is not sufficiently homogenous.
  • At least one stock flow is returned from at least one tank to a predetermined earlier homogenization step, preferably to a predetermined tank or tanks of an earlier homogenization step. In one embodiment, at least one stock flow is returned from at least one tank to the first homogenization step. In one embodiment, at least one stock flow is returned from at least one tank of the last homogenization step to the first step of homogenization.
  • the tanks of the same step may be emptied at a different pace and/or at different rates.
  • the amount of mixing of the stock material is greater than 1/32.
  • the invention is based on an apparatus for the homogenization of feed stock.
  • the apparatus comprises at least two successive homogenization steps to mix the solid stock material, wherein each step comprises at least two adjacent tanks and lines between the tanks so that from each tank, the stock material can be conducted out in two stock flows, so that from each homogenization step, at least one stock flow can be conducted to at least one tank of the following homogenization step.
  • the apparatus comprises lines for conducting homogenized stock material to the manufacture of a composite material and/or to a pretreatment device after the last homogenization step.
  • the apparatus comprises feeding means to feed the stock material e.g. into tanks of the first homogenization step. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises return lines to return a predetermined stock flow to an earlier homogenization step. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises lines to conduct any stock flow out from the homogenization process. In one embodiment of the invention, the apparatus comprises a control apparatus to adjust and control the flows and homogenization of the stock material .
  • the advantage of the invention is that homogenous stock feed is provided for the pretreatment or the manufacturing process of the stock, e.g. for the manufacture of a composite material. There are no distinguishable different-sized particles in the stock feed.
  • the process and the apparatus according to the invention may be used in the manufacture of a com- posite material or alternatively in other manufacturing processes in which solid stock material is used as the stock.
  • Fig. 1 presents one apparatus according to the invention for homogenizing stock material, which in this example consists of adhesive laminate waste.
  • the apparatus comprises four successive homogenization steps IA to ID, each comprising two adjacent mixing silos 2.
  • the size of the silo is about 35 m 3 .
  • Adhesive laminate waste is fed to the first homogenization step IA from two adjacent crushers 5, and from the last homogenization step ID the stock material is conducted into two adjacent pretreatment mixers 6.
  • the adhesive laminate waste is chopped into a desired particle size which is preferably between 3 and 4 mm.
  • the chop is divided in a manner known per se into two chop flows in a ratio of about 50/50 vol-% and conducted to adjacent silos 2 of the first homog- enization step IA, so that each crusher 5 provides one chop flow into each silo 2 of the first step IA.
  • the stock material is divided in a manner known per se into two exit flows in a ratio of 50/50 vol-%. From each silo 2, one flow is conducted to each adjacent silo of the following step. After the last homog- enization step ID, exit flows of the last homogenization silos 2 are conducted to adjacent pretreatment mixers 6, so that from each silo 2, one flow is conducted to each pretreatment device 6.
  • the flow rate of each exit flow that flows out of the silo is about 2700 m 3 /h.
  • a screw device which controls the exit flow and the rate of which may be adjusted.
  • the adhesive laminate waste material is transferred by a pneumatic conveyor system (not shown in the figure) from crushers 5 into silos 2, between silos and from silos 2 to pretreatment devices 6.
  • the apparatus comprises a control apparatus (not shown in the figure) which is a programmable adjustment system for adjusting different process parameters.
  • the silos 2 are pro- vided with overfill monitoring using an overfill sensor. For example, based on the overfill monitoring of the silo, it is possible to adjust, by the control apparatus, the screw device and/or the pneumatic conveyor to transfer the stock material and feed it into the silo of the next homogenization step.
  • the apparatus of Fig. 1 comprises return lines 3 (one of which is shown in the figure by dashed line) to return a desired stock flow from any silo of any homogenization step IA to ID to any silo of the homogenization steps IA to ID.
  • Fig. 1 shows lines 3 for returning the stock flows after the last homogenization step ID to the first homogeniza- tion step IA for re-homogenization or additional homogenization of the stock material.
  • any devices known per se may be used as the screw device, pneumatic conveyor, overfill sensor, control apparatus and adjustment system.

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  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Dispersion Chemistry (AREA)
  • Processing Of Solid Wastes (AREA)
  • Processing And Handling Of Plastics And Other Materials For Molding In General (AREA)

Abstract

The invention relates to a process and apparatus for the homogenization of feed stock. According to the invention, solid stock material is mixed in at least two successive homogenization steps (1), wherein each homogenization step comprises at least two adjacent tanks (2), and the stock material is fed into adjacent tanks of a first homogenization step (IA), at least two stock flows are conducted out form each tank of each homogenization step, and at least one stock flow is conducted from each homogenization step into at least one tank (2) of the following homogenization step.

Description

PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR THE HOMOGENIZATION OF FEED STOCK
FIELD OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to a process as defined in the preamble of claim 1 and to an apparatus as defined in the preamble of claim 15 for the homogeniza- tion of feed stock, preferably for the manufacture of a composite material.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Known from the prior art are various processes for pretreating solid stock materials. Normally, the solid stock material is conducted into tanks, e.g. storage ■ tanks, wherefrom the stock is fed to the manufacturing process e.g. after mixing carried out in the tanks .
A problem with the use of solid stock material, particularly recycled stock and natural materi- als, e.g. wood, flax, sisal fiber and other natural fibers, is their non-homogeneity and thereby great variation in quality in connection with the manufacturing process of a product.
In the manufacture of a composite material, mainly solid stock material is conducted to the manufacturing process normally from more than one tank. In the manufacture of a composite material, it is possible to use so-called intermediate tanks into which the stock is conducted before their feeding to the manu- facturing process. In the tanks containing the stock, various mixing devices are often used to mix the stock to have an even mixture. Mixing commonly impairs the quality of the' stock. A problem with the known processes for manufacturing a composite material is that particularly light and large particles of the stock, e.g. flaky chops, rise to the surface in the tank, and the heavy components deposit on the bottom of the tank. In this case, the stock to be fed to the manufacturing process is not homogenous. In addition, the use of various intermediate tanks increases the manufacturing costs. Furthermore, if one has to select the stock material to be used, e.g. for quality reasons, it reduces efficiency of the recycling.
OBJECTIVE OF THE INVENTION
The objective of the invention is to disclose a new type of a process and an apparatus for the ho- mogenization of feed stock before the actual manufac- turing process, e.g. manufacture of a composite material .
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The method and the apparatus according to the invention are characterized by what has been presented in the claims .
The invention is based on a process for the homogenization of feed stock. According to the invention, solid stock material is mixed in at least two successive homogenization steps, wherein each homogenization step comprises at least two adjacent tanks, in which process the stock material is fed into adjacent tanks of the first homogenization step, at least two stock flows are conducted out form each tank of each homogenization step, and at least one stock flow is conducted from each homogenization step into at least one tank on the following homogenization step.
The invention is specifically based on a process where stock feed is homogenized as well as possible to pretreat the stock material or materials and/or to manufacture a product such as a composite material.
Homogenization means in this connection mixing of the stock, i.e. stock material, so as to have a stock feed which is substantially of as uniform a quality as possible in the entire volume thereof.
The tank means in this connection any tank, silo, reactor or the like. In a preferred embodiment, the tank is a silo or a tank resembling a silo, in which case the stock material and the" different-sized particles therein deposit in the tank and flow out of the tank evenly.
In one embodiment, the tank may be provided with scrapers or the like, e.g. to prevent arching of the material, and/or conveyor means, e.g. conveying screws, on the bottom of the tank.
In one embodiment of the invention, the stock material is fed into adjacent tanks of the first homogenization step, at least two stock flows are con- ducted out from each tank of each homogenization step, and the stock flows of each tank are conducted into adjacent tanks of the following homogenization step, in a preferred embodiment each stock flow into different adjacent tanks. In one embodiment, the stock flows of each tank are conducted into adjacent tanks of the following homogenization step so that at least one flow form each tank of the previous homogenization step is conducted into each tank of the following homogenization step. In one embodiment of the invention, there are at least three successive steps. In one alternative embodiment, there are at least four successive steps. In one embodiment, there are 2 to 5 successive steps. Alternatively, there may be more of the successive steps. In one embodiment of the invention, each step comprises at least three adjacent tanks. In one pre- ferred embodiment, there are two adjacent tanks. In one embodiment, there are 2 to 4 adjacent tanks. Alternatively, there may be more of the adjacent tanks.
In one embodiment of the invention, the stock material is divided in each tank, by a method suitable for the purpose, into at least two flows in a desired ratio which may be a predetermined or a randomly determined ratio. In a preferred embodiment, the stock material is divided into as many stock flows as there are adjacent tanks in the following step. In one embodiment, the stock material is divided into two flows so that the proportion of the first flow is between 20 and 80 vol-%, in one embodiment between 40 and 60 vol-%, and the proportion of the second flow is between 20 and 80 vol-%, in one embodiment 40 and 60 vol-%. In one preferred embodiment, the stock material is divided into two flows so that the proportion of each flow is about 50 vol-%. In one preferred embodiment, the stock material is divided into three flows so that the pro- portion of each flow is between 30 and 36 vol-%.
The process according to the invention may be used to homogenize any substantially solid material, e.g. natural materials such as wood and plant fibers, grains, animal feeds, putty materials, mortars, materi- als of the concrete industry, various fillers and other bulk materials in which the stock components and/or densities of the materials vary, and to homogenize easily disintegrating solid materials.
In one embodiment, recycling material is used as the stock material.
In one embodiment of the invention, the stock material contains adhesive laminate waste. In one preferred embodiment, the stock material consists mainly of adhesive laminate waste. In one embodiment, the ad- hesive laminate waste is formed of adhesive material onto which a layer of glue has been provided, and fit- ted onto the layer of glue as a protective sheet is release material that can be easily released at the application site. In one preferred embodiment, the adhesive material and/or release material comprises a wood fiber based component and/or a plastic or a polymer based or other organic component. Also, the use of various inorganic materials is possible. In one embodiment, the adhesive and/or release material is a wood fiber based paper, paperboard or the like. In one em- bodiment, the wood fiber based paper, paperboard or the like comprises or is treated with plastic or polymer based material. In one embodiment, the adhesive and/or release material may be formed of substantially plastic or polymer based material. In one embodiment, the re- lease material comprises a silicone based component. The release material is preferably siliconized.
In one embodiment, the stock material is crushed before the first step of the homogenization according to the invention. Crushing may be performed in one or 2 to 4 adjacent crushers, so that flows are conducted from each crusher to adjacent tanks of the first step of homogenization. In one embodiment, the stock material is provided in a predetermined particle size. In one embodiment, the stock material is pro- vided in chops. In one embodiment, the mean size of the stock material chops is 1 to 10 mm, in one embodiment 2 to 5 mm and in one embodiment about 3 to 4 mm. In different adjacent crushers, the stock material may be chopped to different particle sizes. In different ad- jacent crushers, it is possible to crush different starting materials which are mixed in homogenization. In one embodiment, at least one crusher is arranged to crush adhesive laminate waste.
In one embodiment of the invention, homoge- nized stock flows are conducted after the last step to the manufacturing process of a composite material, e.g. manufacturing process of a wood-plastic composite material. In one embodiment, finished adhesive laminate products, waste material produced by them and/or in their manufacture may be used in the manufacture of the wood-plastic composite. In addition, waste material from production as well as recycling material from the upgrading step or end use applications may be used. In one embodiment, the adhesive laminate waste comes from adhesive laminate production which produces mainly pro- duction reject waste, edge trimming waste cut off from rolls and roll ends, from the adhesive laminate printing plant which produces mainly roll ends and adhesive material left over from die-cutting of stickers and labels as well as reject waste, and/or from the adhesive laminate end user customer who pastes the printed stickers and labels or the like on products. The waste obtained from the end user comprises mainly release material, reel ends and waste from the finished product.
In one embodiment of the invention, the ho- mogenized stock flows are conducted after the last ho- mogenization step to a pretreatment process of the stock for the manufacture of the composite material. In one embodiment, after the last homogenization step, all stock flows of adjacent tanks are conducted to the same pretreatment process. In one embodiment, a stock flow is conducted from each tank of the last step of homogenization to each concurrent pretreatment process.
In one embodiment, the homogenized stock flows are conducted after the last homogenization step to the actual manufacturing process of the composite material. Preferably, additional material, additional plastic and/or additives are fed to the manufacturing process of the composite material and/or to the pretreatment process in addition to the homogenized stock material. In one embodiment, the additives are fed directly to the actual manufacturing process of the com- posite material. In one embodiment, at least part of the additional material, additional plastic and/or additives to be used is fed to the pretreatment process. In one embodiment, at least part of the additional ma- terial, additional plastic and/or additives to be used is fed to the actual manufacturing process of the composite material. Among the additives, e.g. the coloring agent, anti-mold agent and uv-stabilizer are added mainly at the actual manufacturing process of the com- posite material, and e.g. the anti-slip agent, fire re- tardant and adhesion promoter may be added either at the actual manufacturing of the composite material or at the pretreatment. As additional material, fibrous material, talc or the like may be fed to the stock ma- terial.
In one embodiment, additional plastic, which may be virgin or recycled plastic, is added to the stock material in the manufacture of the composite material and/or at the pretreatment. The composite mate- rial according to the invention may be manufactured with or without additional plastic. In one embodiment, e.g. polyolefin, polypropene, polyethene (HDPE, LDPE) or other suitable plastic or a mixture thereof is added to the adhesive laminate waste material as additional plastic to manufacture the wood composite material.
In one embodiment, the pretreatment process is selected from the group of a mixing process, a pellet- izing process, a granulation process, an agglomerizing process and combinations thereof or any pretreatment process known per se.
In one embodiment of the invention, pneumatic conveyance, i.e. a pneumatic conveyor system, is used to transfer the stock material e.g. from storage or from the crusher to the first step of homogenization, from one step of homogenization to another and/or from the last step of homogenization to upgrading such as to the pretreatment process of the stock or to the manufacturing process. The manufacturing process may be for example a manufacturing process of composite material.
Pneumatic conveyance is a gentle method to transfer material and a relatively energy-efficient process. If agglomeration of the stock particles occurs due to moisture in one of the tanks, the agglomerates can be made to disintegrate preferably by the effect of the compressed air in pneumatic conveyance. In one embodiment, the stock material may be conducted out from any step of homogenization and returned to earlier steps, conducted to a storage tank or conducted to upgrading such as to a pretreatment or manufacturing process. In one embodiment, the stock material may be conducted from any tank to the storage tank or returned to any step preceding the tank in question, e.g. to the first step of homogenization. In one embodiment, the stock material may be returned after the last step of homogenization back to be homoge- nized once again, if the stock material is not sufficiently homogenous.
In one embodiment of the invention, at least one stock flow is returned from at least one tank to a predetermined earlier homogenization step, preferably to a predetermined tank or tanks of an earlier homogenization step. In one embodiment, at least one stock flow is returned from at least one tank to the first homogenization step. In one embodiment, at least one stock flow is returned from at least one tank of the last homogenization step to the first step of homogenization.
In the process according to the invention, the tanks of the same step may be emptied at a different pace and/or at different rates. In one embodiment, the amount of mixing of the stock material is greater than 1/32. In addition, the invention is based on an apparatus for the homogenization of feed stock. According to the invention, the apparatus comprises at least two successive homogenization steps to mix the solid stock material, wherein each step comprises at least two adjacent tanks and lines between the tanks so that from each tank, the stock material can be conducted out in two stock flows, so that from each homogenization step, at least one stock flow can be conducted to at least one tank of the following homogenization step.
In one embodiment of the invention, the apparatus comprises lines for conducting homogenized stock material to the manufacture of a composite material and/or to a pretreatment device after the last homogenization step.
In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises feeding means to feed the stock material e.g. into tanks of the first homogenization step. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises return lines to return a predetermined stock flow to an earlier homogenization step. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises lines to conduct any stock flow out from the homogenization process. In one embodiment of the invention, the apparatus comprises a control apparatus to adjust and control the flows and homogenization of the stock material .
The process and the apparatus according to the invention provide considerable advantages as compared to the prior art.
The advantage of the invention is that homogenous stock feed is provided for the pretreatment or the manufacturing process of the stock, e.g. for the manufacture of a composite material. There are no distinguishable different-sized particles in the stock feed.
In the process according to the invention, it is not necessary to use mechanical mixing to treat the stock, so the quality of the stock is not impaired during mixing. Preferably, only settling and pneumatic conveyance are used in the process.
By the invention, an industrially applicable, easy, fast and useful manner of homogenizing stock ma- terial is achieved. The construction and operating costs of the process according to the invention are low.
The process and the apparatus according to the invention may be used in the manufacture of a com- posite material or alternatively in other manufacturing processes in which solid stock material is used as the stock.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In the following section, the invention will be described with a detailed example of an embodiment and with reference to the accompanying figure.
Fig. 1 presents one apparatus according to the invention for homogenizing stock material, which in this example consists of adhesive laminate waste. The apparatus comprises four successive homogenization steps IA to ID, each comprising two adjacent mixing silos 2. The size of the silo is about 35 m3. Adhesive laminate waste is fed to the first homogenization step IA from two adjacent crushers 5, and from the last homogenization step ID the stock material is conducted into two adjacent pretreatment mixers 6.
In the adjacent crushers 5, the adhesive laminate waste is chopped into a desired particle size which is preferably between 3 and 4 mm. In each crusher 5, the chop is divided in a manner known per se into two chop flows in a ratio of about 50/50 vol-% and conducted to adjacent silos 2 of the first homog- enization step IA, so that each crusher 5 provides one chop flow into each silo 2 of the first step IA. In each adjacent silo 2 of each homogenization step IA to ID, the stock material is divided in a manner known per se into two exit flows in a ratio of 50/50 vol-%. From each silo 2, one flow is conducted to each adjacent silo of the following step. After the last homog- enization step ID, exit flows of the last homogenization silos 2 are conducted to adjacent pretreatment mixers 6, so that from each silo 2, one flow is conducted to each pretreatment device 6.
The flow rate of each exit flow that flows out of the silo is about 2700 m3/h. Provided on the bottom of the silos is a screw device which controls the exit flow and the rate of which may be adjusted. The adhesive laminate waste material is transferred by a pneumatic conveyor system (not shown in the figure) from crushers 5 into silos 2, between silos and from silos 2 to pretreatment devices 6. The apparatus comprises a control apparatus (not shown in the figure) which is a programmable adjustment system for adjusting different process parameters. The silos 2 are pro- vided with overfill monitoring using an overfill sensor. For example, based on the overfill monitoring of the silo, it is possible to adjust, by the control apparatus, the screw device and/or the pneumatic conveyor to transfer the stock material and feed it into the silo of the next homogenization step.
In addition, the apparatus of Fig. 1 comprises return lines 3 (one of which is shown in the figure by dashed line) to return a desired stock flow from any silo of any homogenization step IA to ID to any silo of the homogenization steps IA to ID. Fig. 1 shows lines 3 for returning the stock flows after the last homogenization step ID to the first homogeniza- tion step IA for re-homogenization or additional homogenization of the stock material.
Any devices known per se may be used as the screw device, pneumatic conveyor, overfill sensor, control apparatus and adjustment system.
In test runs it was discovered that the process and the apparatus according to the invention are well suited for the homogenization of stock feed.
The process and the apparatus according to the invention are applicable in different embodiments for use in homogenizing the most different kinds of solid stock materials. The invention is not limited merely to the examples referred to above; instead, many variations are possible within the scope of the inventive idea defined by the claims.

Claims

1. A process for the homogenization of feed stock, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that solid stock ma- terial is mixed in at least two successive homogenization steps, wherein each homogenization step comprises at least two adjacent tanks, in which process the stock material is fed into adjacent tanks of a first homogenization step, at least two stock flows are con- ducted out form each tank of each homogenization step, and at least one stock flow is conducted from each homogenization step into at least one tank on the following homogenization step.
2. The process according to claim 1, c h a - r a c t e r i z e d in that it comprises at least three successive homogenization steps.
3. The process according to claim 1 or 2, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that it comprises at least four successive homogenization steps'. 4. The process according to any one of claims
1 to 3, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that each homogenization step comprises at least three adjacent tanks.
5. The process according to any one of claims 1 to 4, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the stock ma- terial is fed into adjacent tanks of the first homogenization step, at least two stock flows are conducted out from each tank of each homogenization step, and the stock flows of each tank are conducted into adjacent tanks of the following homogenization step. β. The process according to claim 5, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the stock flows of each tank are conducted into adjacent tanks of the following homogenization step, so that at least one flow from each tank of the previous homogenization step is conducted into each tank of the following homogenization step.
7. The process according to any one of claims 1 to 6, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that at least one stock flow is returned from at least one tank to a predetermined earlier homogenization step. 8. The process according claim 7, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that at least one stock flow is returned from at least one tank to the first homogenization step.
9. The process according to any one of claims 1 to 8, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that in each tank, the stock is divided into at least two flows in predetermined ratios.
10. The process according to any one of claims 1 to 9, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the homoge- nized stock flows are conducted after the last homogenization step to the manufacturing process of a composite material.
11. The process according to any one of claims 1 to 10, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the homogenized stock flows are conducted after the last homogenization step to a pretreatment process for the stock to manufacture the composite material.
12. The process according to any one of claims 1 to 11, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the stock mate- rial contains adhesive laminate waste.
13. The process according to any one of claims 1 to 12, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the stock material is crushed before the first step of homogenization. 14. The process according to any one of claims
1 to 13, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that pneumatic conveyance is used to transfer the stock material.
15. An apparatus for the homogenization of feed stock, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the appara- tus comprises at least two successive homogenization steps (1) to mix the stock material, wherein each step comprises at least two adjacent tanks (2) and lines between the tanks, so that from each tank, the stock material can be conducted out in two stock flows, so that from each homogenization step, at least one stock flow can be conducted to at least one tank of the following homogenization step.
16. The apparatus according to claim 15, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the apparatus comprises 2 to 5 successive homogenization steps (1) . 17. The apparatus according to claim 15 or 16, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that each homogenization step (1) comprises 2 to 4 adjacent tanks (2) .
18. The apparatus according to any one of claims 15 to 17, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the apparatus comprises lines for conducting the homogenized stock material to the manufacture of a composite material and/or to a pretreatment device (6) after the last homogenization step (ID).
19. The apparatus according to any one of claims 15 to 18, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the apparatus comprises at least one crusher (5) for crushing the stock material before homogenization.
20. The apparatus according to claim 19, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that at least one crusher (5) is arranged to crush adhesive laminate waste.
21. The apparatus according to any one of claims 15 to 20, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the apparatus comprises a pneumatic conveyance system to transfer the stock material. 22. The apparatus according to any one of claims 15 to 21, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the apparatus comprises a control apparatus to adjust and control the flows and homogenization of the stock material.
EP09807670A 2008-12-29 2009-12-29 Process and apparatus for the homogenization of feed stock Withdrawn EP2382034A1 (en)

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FI20086243A FI121700B (en) 2008-12-29 2008-12-29 Method and apparatus for homogenizing feedstock
PCT/FI2009/051044 WO2010089446A1 (en) 2008-12-29 2009-12-29 Process and apparatus for the homogenization of feed stock

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EP (1) EP2382034A1 (en)
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CN102271793A (en) 2011-12-07
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FI20086243L (en) 2010-06-30
WO2010089446A1 (en) 2010-08-12
FI121700B (en) 2011-03-15

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